Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2012)
Illustration
Object:
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
After David had consolidated his kingdom he decided it was time that he built a house for God. He contacted the prophet Nathan, and at first, he thought it was a good idea, but then he prayed to God and discovered God had something else in mind.
Eugene Peterson in his little book, Leap Over a Wall explains what happened:
"God's word to David through Nathan was essentially this: 'You want to build me a house' Forget it -- I'm going to build you a house. The kingdom that I am shaping here isn't what you do for me but what I do through you. I'm not going to let you confuse things by launching a building operation of your own... If there's any building to be done, I'm doing it. I've been working with you since your shepherd days, building a kingdom -- a place where salvation and justice and peace can be realized."
Richard H.
Ephesians 2:11-22
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity, especially in the church. But the harsh reality described by Martin Luther King Jr. has not changed. The most segregated hour of the week remains 11:00 am on Sundays. According to Time magazine, 9 out of 10 American congregations in 2007 were populated by at least 80% of some racial group. But pulled together by Christ in his Body entails that in reality (even if we resist) we can no more be separated than our fingers can act independently of hands, than our toes can take steps without our feet. The reality created by Christ is like the famed ninteenth-century Russian writer Leon Tolstoy once said: "I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by natural boundaries and government orders." A poem by John Wesley put it well: Earth and heaven all agree; All is one great family. (Works, Vol. 5, p. 152).
Mark E.
Ephesians 2:11-22
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health in Africa. His contribution is to use statistics to change people's perception of the health problems and how they can be resolved.
Rosling said of his work, "I am not an optimist." Rather, he would like to be defined as a "possibilist."
Paul writes that we "have no hope without God in the world." God is not an optimistic vision we hold before us, for his teachings present us with possibilities to promote the well-being of others.
Ron L.
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some people not worth his consideration. Lloyd Ogilivie says that he has a friend who carries with him what he calls his "write-off book." In this book his friend lists the things he can write off on his income tax forms. Ogilivie goes on to say he believes that many people have "write-off books" of another kind. Some people write off other people saying they could never change. He heard one person say: "I know it's not Christian, but I have written that group off -- it's impossible!" And he heard a student say, "My parents are impossible! They will not see things as they are. I've stopped trying to help them. I guess I've written them off."
Do we have a list like that too? Have we written off some people as just "impossible"?
Richard H.
After David had consolidated his kingdom he decided it was time that he built a house for God. He contacted the prophet Nathan, and at first, he thought it was a good idea, but then he prayed to God and discovered God had something else in mind.
Eugene Peterson in his little book, Leap Over a Wall explains what happened:
"God's word to David through Nathan was essentially this: 'You want to build me a house' Forget it -- I'm going to build you a house. The kingdom that I am shaping here isn't what you do for me but what I do through you. I'm not going to let you confuse things by launching a building operation of your own... If there's any building to be done, I'm doing it. I've been working with you since your shepherd days, building a kingdom -- a place where salvation and justice and peace can be realized."
Richard H.
Ephesians 2:11-22
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity, especially in the church. But the harsh reality described by Martin Luther King Jr. has not changed. The most segregated hour of the week remains 11:00 am on Sundays. According to Time magazine, 9 out of 10 American congregations in 2007 were populated by at least 80% of some racial group. But pulled together by Christ in his Body entails that in reality (even if we resist) we can no more be separated than our fingers can act independently of hands, than our toes can take steps without our feet. The reality created by Christ is like the famed ninteenth-century Russian writer Leon Tolstoy once said: "I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by natural boundaries and government orders." A poem by John Wesley put it well: Earth and heaven all agree; All is one great family. (Works, Vol. 5, p. 152).
Mark E.
Ephesians 2:11-22
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health in Africa. His contribution is to use statistics to change people's perception of the health problems and how they can be resolved.
Rosling said of his work, "I am not an optimist." Rather, he would like to be defined as a "possibilist."
Paul writes that we "have no hope without God in the world." God is not an optimistic vision we hold before us, for his teachings present us with possibilities to promote the well-being of others.
Ron L.
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some people not worth his consideration. Lloyd Ogilivie says that he has a friend who carries with him what he calls his "write-off book." In this book his friend lists the things he can write off on his income tax forms. Ogilivie goes on to say he believes that many people have "write-off books" of another kind. Some people write off other people saying they could never change. He heard one person say: "I know it's not Christian, but I have written that group off -- it's impossible!" And he heard a student say, "My parents are impossible! They will not see things as they are. I've stopped trying to help them. I guess I've written them off."
Do we have a list like that too? Have we written off some people as just "impossible"?
Richard H.
